Cover for the lying surface of a piece of furniture

ABSTRACT

A piece of seating furniture which is able to be converted into a bed is provided with a frame ( 1 ) and at least one carriage ( 2, 3 ) which is able to be retracted into the frame ( 1 ) and withdrawn therefrom. The frame ( 1 ) and the carriage(s) ( 2, 3 ) have slats ( 10, 10   a,    10   b ) fastened on one side, running in the withdrawal direction of the carriage(s) ( 2, 3 ), as a support for the seat—or lying cushions ( 23, 24, 25 ), the slats ( 10, 10   a,    10   b ) having a distance from each other such that the slats of the carriage(s) ( 10   a   , 10   b ) in the retracted state of the carriage(s) ( 2, 3 ) lie between the slats ( 10 ) of the frame ( 1 ). 
     A cover ( 26 ) for such a piece of furniture has a sheet ( 37 ) and a soft layer ( 36 ) situated therebeneath. The soft layer ( 36 ) has an elasticity which is opposed to rolling up, so that the layer ( 36 ), after rolling up with the sheet ( 37 ), automatically unrolls over the lying surface. 
     An arrangement is thereby achieved which is simple and is convenient to use.

The invention relates to a piece of seating furniture which is able to be converted into a bed, having a frame and at least one carriage which is able to be retracted into the frame and withdrawn therefrom. A further object of the invention is a cover for the lying surface of such a piece of furniture.

An essential feature of the invention is that the frame and the carriage(s) have slats fastened on one side, running in the withdrawal direction of the carriage(s) as a support for seat—or lying cushions, the slats having a distance from each other such that in the retracted state of the carriage(s), the slats of the carriage(s) lie between the slats of the frame.

Through the spaces of the slats of the frame into which slats of the carriage or carriages engage, a guidance is achieved which is simple and nevertheless precise.

In a preferred example embodiment of the invention, the slats of the frame rest on the rear side of the piece of furniture on an elastic transverse slat which is provided on both sides with rollers which are guided in guideways which rise towards the front, so that when the slats of the frame are pushed in (sitting position), these run obliquely downwards, and when the slats are drawn out (lying position), these lie horizontally.

Through this, an inclination for sitting is achieved in a simple manner, which automatically continues into a horizontal when the carriage is drawn out.

Expediently, the guideways are formed by deformed flat bars which each form a mounting pocket for the rollers in the sitting position and in the lying position.

Nowadays, high quality beds have two mattresses, namely a harder one at the bottom and a softer one on the top. The upper mattress is also often called a “comfort mattress”. The upper, softer mattress provides support for the body in the sleeping position over a larger area. This combination of hard and soft is regarded by the majority of experts as the ideal solution.

For reasons of hygiene, it is usual to cover the lying surface of a bed or a piece of seating furniture which is able to be converted into a piece of lying furniture with a sheet. The furnishing fabric is thereby also protected in convertible seating or so-called couches.

Covering with a sheet is relatively complicated, because it has to be pulled from several sides. Therefore, proposals have already been made to simplify the covering with a sheet. In particular, it has been proposed to roll up the sheet, possibly with an underlayer, on an automatic roller when not in use. Such suggestions have also already been put into practice.

Accordingly, a further aim of the invention is to provide a cover which is simpler to handle than hitherto. This is achieved in that the soft layer has an elasticity which is opposed to rolling up, so that the layer, after rolling up with the sheet, automatically unrolls over the lying surface.

The roll of a cover according to the invention is held together for example by a band or suchlike and, after the band is opened, unrolls automatically together with the sheet and lays itself over the lying surface. The sheet may be connected with the soft layer here by a Velcro-type fastening, press studs or similar connecting means which are easy to undo.

The soft layer generally consists of two materials, namely a fibre material above and a foam material or rubber or polyether below.

Underlayers of foam or suchlike, which unroll automatically, are already known. These underlayers are laid on the ground for example when camping, however they are not connected with a sheet. The covering of a bed with a sheet would therefore not be facilitated by such underlayers.

Further features of the invention are pointed out in subclaims in connection with the description of the figures.

The invention is described in further detail below with the aid of example embodiments which are illustrated in the drawings, without being limited to these examples, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the top view onto a piece of furniture according to the invention in the lying position and with cushions removed;

FIG. 2 shows a side view, partially in section, of the piece of furniture according to FIG. 1, in which the cushions have been put in place;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged illustration of detail A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 likewise shows on an enlarged scale the roller arrangement for producing an inclination for sitting;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the slat arrangement on an enlarged scale;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a piece of furniture according to the invention, respectively in the sitting position;

FIG. 9 shows in a diagrammatic view a bed or a couch which is provided with a cover according to the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a partial view onto a cover roll, a rod being suspended at the end;

FIG. 11 shows a partial longitudinal section through the end of such a cover.

According to FIG. 1 to 6, a piece of seating furniture which is able to be converted into a bed has a frame 1, a first carriage 2 and a second carriage 3. The frame 1 has a fixed frame part with lateral metallic supports 4 and legs 5 and 6 which are supported on the floor.

A movable frame part has slats 10 resting on elastic transverse supports 8 and 9, said slats lying at a distance from each other. The carriages 2 and 3 also have slats 10 a and 10 b which rest on corresponding elastic transverse slats which are supported on the floor by means of legs.

In FIG. 3 it is shown by way of example that one slat 10 b of the carriage 3 is connected with the angle 11 and rests on a transverse slat 12 which is connected with a leg 13.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 1, the slats 10, 10 a and 10 b respectively are at a distance from each other such that the carriages 2 and 3 can be pushed into each other and into the frame 1, with all slats 10, 10 a and 10 b then lying adjacent to each other. When the carriage 3 is drawn out, the angles 11 then entrain the carriage 2.

In order that a comfortable inclination for sitting can be reached, according to FIG. 4 the transverse slat 9 of the frame 1 is provided on both sides with rollers 15 via roller carriers 14. These rollers 15 roll on flat bars 16 which have two mounting pockets 17, 18. The mounting pockets 17 hold the slats 10 in the horizontal position and the other mounting pockets 18 make an inclination for sitting possible.

The flat bars 16 are welded to the legs 6 and a rear flat bar 19.

The slat guideway is illustrated in FIG. 5 in top view and on an enlarged scale, and in FIG. 6 in a corresponding side view. In FIG. 5, a slat 10 a which has been pushed in is shown here on the left, the drawn out slat 10 a is shown on the right, and on the far right a slat 10 b is shown.

Accordingly, the slats 10 have stops 20 at their ends, which cooperate with stops 21 of the slats 10 a when the corresponding carriages are pushed in and out. On pushing in, the stops 21 press onto the stops 20, and on drawing out, the stops 21 draw the movable part of the frame 1 over the stops 20 arranged at the other end of the slats 10 into the position illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

In order that, when the carriages 2 and 3 are pushed in, the free ends of the slats 10 a and 10 b are lifted over the respective elastic transverse slat 9, 12, lifting elements 22 are arranged on the slats.

In FIG. 7, a piece of furniture according to the invention is illustrated in the sitting position, having only one carriage 2. Accordingly, only two cushions 23, 24 lie one over the other in the sitting position.

The piece of furniture according to FIG. 8 corresponds substantially to the piece of furniture according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with two carriages and three cushions 23, 24, 25.

In both cases, a rolled-up mattress roll 26 is used as a backrest, as is described below. The cushion 23 is also provided respectively with a bulge 27 which overlaps the upper part of the frame.

According to FIG. 9, a mattress 32 is laid on a bed frame 31. The bed frame 31 is provided with a bedhead 33 which has a cavity 34. This cavity is able to be closed toward the front by a padded cover (not shown).

A cover 26, which has a soft layer 36 and a sheet 37, lies on the mattress 32. The sheet 37 is connected with the soft layer 36 by means of a Velcro-type fastening 38.

The soft layer 36 consists of a material which is elastic, such that it is able to automatically unroll a roll consisting of a soft layer 36 and a sheet 37. In FIG. 11, such a roll (cover 26) is shown during unrolling, which is shown by the arrow marked in the drawing.

Underneath the soft layer 36, a fitted sheet 39 is arranged, which is also rolled in. This fitted sheet 39 consists of a fabric, e.g. a cotton drill, which is substantially non-elastic in the longitudinal direction. The arrangement of such a non-elastic fitted sheet 39 causes the soft layer 36 to be prevented from increasing its extent as a result of its elasticity during rolling and subsequently.

The rolling and unrolling of the cover 26 is facilitated by a rod 40 which is connected with the end of the cover 26 which is to be rolled. As can be seen from FIG. 10, this rod 40 is connected with the cover 26 by means of a strip of material 41.

In the example embodiment according to FIG. 11, the fitted sheet 39′, lying under the soft layer 36, is formed by the sheet 37′ wrapped around the soft layer 36.

It is also indicated in FIG. 9 that a blanket 42 or an item of bedding lying on the sheet 37 can be rolled into the cover 26. The blanket 42 is only approximately half illustrated here.

The entire subsequent roll 26 (layer 36, sheet 37 and blanket or item of bedding 42) consists here of very soft materials. By pressing onto the roll during rolling, and by the rigid rod and the non-elastic outer side, the material is pressed in to less than one third of its original volume.

When the seat or the bed and at least the visible part of the roll 26 is covered with furnishing fabric, the roll can be used as a back-rest, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the rolled state, the cover (roll) 26 can be housed in the cavity 34 of a bedhead.

In various items of furniture, a panel may be provided, against which the roll 26 is rolled. The roll 26 can then remain held rolled against the panel for example by an arranged Velcro-type strip.

The space for the roll 26 behind a backrest normally does not have a round shape. The cavity in the backrest is generally higher than the roll and widens conically downwards. Despite the compression which is achieved as a result of the non-elastic fitted sheet and the rigid rod, the roll is, however, still sufficiently soft to fit into the cavity which is available.

Numerous modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. Thus, for example, the carriage 3 could be equipped with only one panel, particularly of MDF, instead of with slats. A smaller distance would then result between the slats of the frame 1 and of the carriage 2. On omission of the carriage 3, a transverse bed would be produced, instead of a longitudinal bed, which is readily possible within the scope of the invention. 

1. A piece of seating furniture which is able to be converted into a bed, having a frame and at least one carriage which is able to be retracted into the frame and withdrawn therefrom wherein the frame and the carriage have slats fastened on one side, running in the withdrawal direction of the carriage as a support for seat—or lying cushions, the slats having a distance from each other such that the slats of the carriage in the retracted state of the carriage lie between the slats of the frame.
 2. The piece of seating furniture according to claim 1 wherein the slats of the frame rest on the rear side of the piece of furniture on an elastic transverse slat, which is provided on both sides with rollers which are guided in guideways which rise towards the front, so that when the slats of the frame are pushed in, these run obliquely downwards, and when the slats are drawn out, these lie horizontally.
 3. The piece of seating furniture according to claim 2 wherein the guideways are formed by deformed flat bars which each form a mounting pocket for the rollers in the sitting position and in the lying position.
 4. The piece of seating furniture according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the frame has a fixed frame part which has two lateral metallic supports which are connected, preferably welded, to legs supported on the ground, and also to the guideways.
 5. The piece of seating furniture according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the slats have laterally at their ends at least one stop respectively which cooperates with a stop of the adjacent carriage.
 6. The piece of seating furniture according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the slats have a lifting element at one end, which lifts them over the respective transverse slat of the other carriage when the carriage is retracted.
 7. A cover for the lying surface of a piece of furniture according to any of claims 1 to 6, with a sheet and a soft layer situated therebeneath wherein the soft layer has an elasticity which is opposed to rolling up, so that the layer, after rolling up with the sheet, automatically unrolls over the lying surface.
 8. The cover according to claim 7 wherein a fitted sheet made of a fabric with is substantially non-elastic in the longitudinal direction is arranged on the side lying opposite the sheet.
 9. The cover according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the end which is to be rolled out is connected with a rod.
 10. The cover according to claim 7 wherein a blanket lying on the sheet is also rolled in.
 11. The cover according to any of claims 7 to 10 wherein the lying surface of the soft layer and the underside of the soft layer consists of furnishing fabric.
 12. A piece of seating furniture with a backrest, which is able to be converted into a piece of furniture for lying wherein a rolled-up cover according to any of claims 7 to 11 is arranged behind the backrest.
 13. The piece of seating furniture according to claim 12 wherein an upright support or panel is arranged behind the rolled-up cover and a Velcro-type strip is provided between the support or panel and the rolled-up cover.
 14. A cover for the lying surface of a piece of furniture, with a sheet and a soft layer situated therebeneath, wherein the soft layer has an elasticity which is opposed to rolling up, so that the layer, after rolling up with the sheet, automatically unrolls over the lying surface.
 15. The cover according to claim 14 wherein a fitted sheet made of a fabric with is substantially non-elastic in the longitudinal direction is arranged on the side lying opposite the sheet.
 16. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the end which is to be rolled out is connected with a rod.
 17. The cover according to claim 1, wherein a blanket lying on the sheet is also rolled in.
 18. The cover according to claim 1 wherein the lying surface of the soft layer and the underside of the soft layer consists of furnishing fabric.
 19. A piece of seating furniture with a backrest, which is able to be converted into a piece of furniture for lying wherein a rolled-up cover according to any of claims 1 to 5 is arranged behind the backrest.
 20. The piece of seating furniture according to claim 19 wherein an upright support or panel is arranged behind the rolled-up cover and a Velcro-type strip is provided between the support or panel and the rolled-up cover. 